Marijuana Legalization Issues: Where Can We Go? A Roadmap for Public Health Success and an Appeal for a Smart Approach Dr. Kevin A. Sabet Co-Founder, Project.

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Presentation on theme: "Marijuana Legalization Issues: Where Can We Go? A Roadmap for Public Health Success and an Appeal for a Smart Approach Dr. Kevin A. Sabet Co-Founder, Project."— Presentation transcript:

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We Are Often on the Defensive We have not admitted where we have drug policy challenges. Nontraditional groups have rejected our message. Our message has become stale: “Party of No”. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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In Washington State, 47% of the counties that voted for Obama in the presidential election also voted AGAINST Legalization But only 57% that voted for Romney also voted against Initiative 502. In CO, 76% of those under the age of 35 and 49% of >55 supported legalization. In CO, we lost low-income voters for the first time. (65% of <$50,000 earners) In CO, we lost a whopping 74% of those who ID as independents

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This is very different than what happened just 2 years ago in CA 14 Overall Swing Voters

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When presented with “regulation” and a “new approach” in the form of legalization, more and more groups are choosing that over the “old way” of “prohibition” – which is associated with a “moralistic” drug policy grounded in fear and “Reefer Madness” Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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This is a MIScharacterization of our view BUT THAT DOESN’T MATTER ANYMORE Just like it doesn’t matter that no one actually serves prison time for pot… “PERCEPTION IS REALITY” Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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We Need To Live with the “Hand We Are Dealt” (even if they are myths) “Jails are full of MJ users” “Addiction is a health issue” “Treatment is best/can do no harm” “We need to try something new” “Marijuana has been demonized” “The Drug War Hurts Minorities” “The Drug War is a Failure” Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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We Need a REBRANDING A “SMART APPROACH” Not about legalization vs. incarceration We can be against legalization but also for health, education, and common-sense We can be against discriminatory laws and practices too. RECLAIM “REFORM!” Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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This is a about creating a PERMISSION STRUCTURE for others to support us. Medical MJ gave people “permission” to support legalization We need to give people “permission” to oppose it. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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To inform public policy with the science of today’s marijuana. To have honest conversation about reducing the unintended consequences of current marijuana policies, such as lifelong stigma due to arrest. To prevent the establishment of Big Marijuana that would market marijuana to children — and to prevent Big Tobacco from taking over Big Marijuana. Those are the very likely results of legalization. To promote research on marijuana in order to obtain FDA- approved, pharmacy-dispensed, cannabis-based medications."

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2.7 million Arrests for alcohol-related crimes in 2008 847,000 Marijuana-related arrests in 2008 (Does NOT include violence; Includes violations of liquor laws and driving under the influence) Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com “If Only We Treated It Like Alcohol…”

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Legalization: Experience Elsewhere? No modern nation has tried legalization, though most Western countries do not imprison people for simple marijuana possession. -The Netherlands, Portugal, Italy use rates lower for some drugs since 10 years ago; higher for others. -The Dutch experienced a three-fold increase in marijuana use among young adults after commercialization expanded. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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Marijuana’s Health Effects Most people who use marijuana once will stop, and not become addicted. 1 in 6 kids who try marijuana will become addicted. For people who keep smoking marijuana, the health harms are underappreciated and costly. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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Marijuana and Kids The adolescent brain is especially susceptible to marijuana use. That means that when kids use, they have a greater chance of addiction since their brains are being primed. If used regularly before 18, new research shows that IQ drops by 8 points at age 38, even when that person has stopped. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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Bypassing the FDA Process Before FDA approves a drug as medicine, testing is done to: Determine the benefits and risks of the drug Determine how it may interact with other drugs Assure standardization of the drug Determine the appropriate dosage levels Identify and monitor side effects Identify safe drug administration

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Compassionate care increased access to marijuana? <5% Only 10% of card holders are cancer, HIV/AIDS, or glaucoma patients 90% are registered for ailments such as headaches and athlete’s foot

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Compassionate care or increased access to marijuana? >80% Most card holders in CA and CO are white men between the ages of 17 and 35 No history of chronic illness History of Alcohol and Drug Use

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That doesn’t mean that components in marijuana do not have medical properties. These are being scientifically developed.

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Cannabis-Based Medicines Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com  Sativex is in the process of being studied  Approved in Canada and across Europe  Administered via an oral spray  Research on the efficacy of cannabinoids is not focused on raw/crude marijuana, but in the individual components that may have medical use.

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Let’s Not Go Back Here The Liggett Group: “If you are really and truly not going to sell [cigarettes] to children, you are going to be out of business in 30 years.” R. J. Reynolds: “Realistically, if our company is to survive and prosper, over the long term we must get our share of the youth market.” Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com

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Lorillard: “The base of our business is the high school student.” Phillip Morris: “Today's teenager is tomorrow's potential regular customer… Because of our high share of the market among the youngest smokers, Philip Morris will suffer more than the other companies from the decline in the number of teenage smokers.”

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We Need to Remember We are right. We have the science on our side. We need to stay strategic in our messaging. We need to regain the middle in order to win the day. Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., www.kevinsabet.com